animals, crocheting has something for everyone.Supplies You'll Need
Before you get started, you'll need to gather a few supplies. Here's what you'll need:
- Yarn: Yarn is the main material you'll use for your crochet projects. It comes in colors, textures, and materials, such as wool, acrylic, cotton, and more. For beginners, it's best to start with a medium-weight yarn in a light color, as it will be easier to see your stitches. Look for a yarn label that says "4" or "worsted weight" for a good starting point.
Have a look at my Comprehensive Yarn Guide
- Crochet hook: Crochet hooks are the tools you'll use to create your crochet stitches. They come in different sizes, and the size you need will depend on the yarn you choose. A good rule of thumb is to use a crochet hook one or two sizes larger than the recommended size for the yarn. This will make it easier to see your stitches and prevent your work from becoming too tight. Crochet hooks are usually labeled with a number indicating the size. They can be made of materials like aluminum, plastic, or wood.
See my guide with International Crochet Hook Sizes
- Scissors: You'll need a pair of scissors to cut your yarn when you're finished with a project. Any sharp pair of scissors will work, but small, pointed embroidery scissors are especially helpful for cutting yarn close to your work.
- Tapestry needle: A tapestry needle is a long, thin needle with a large eye. You'll use it to weave in the ends of your yarn when you're finished with a project. Tapestry needles come in different sizes, so choose one appropriate for the yarn you use.
- In addition to these basic supplies, you may also want to invest in a crochet hook case or organizer to keep your hooks organized, as well as a stitch marker or two to help you keep track of your place in a pattern. A comfortable, well-lit work area is also helpful for crocheting, as well as a chair or couch where you can sit and relax as you work.
Look here for some of my Recommended Crochet Supplies
Basic Crochet Stitches
Once you have your supplies, it's time to learn the basic crochet stitches.
Have You got the hang of holding your crochet hook and yarn?
Maybe getting started with that first chain?
If not, visit my Tutorial: Crochet for Beginners - Part 1.
Here are the stitches every beginner should know:
- Chain stitch, start by making a slip knot on your crochet hook. Then, yarn over (yo) and pull the yarn through the loop on your hook to create a new loop. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of chain stitches.
- Single crochet: To make a single crochet, insert your hook into the second chain from the hook. Yarn over and pull up a loop. You should now have two loops on your hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops to complete the single crochet stitch.
Once you've mastered the single crochet stitch, you can move on to more advanced stitches, like the half double crochet, double crochet, and triple crochet. You can also start exploring different crochet techniques, like Tunisian crochet.
See my section on Basic Crochet Stitches
Conclusion
As you learn more about crocheting, you'll find that it's a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. Whether you're working on a big project or just a few rows of a simple scarf, crocheting is a wonderful hobby that can bring joy and satisfaction to your life.
So grab your crochet hook and yarn, and start your next project today! Happy crocheting!
